News

Friends show compassion for bereaved families

Compassionate Friends, a group of bereaved parents, raising awareness of their group with a stand at Lydiard Park. From left, Lisa McCulloch, Clive Hall, Margaret Bradbury, Janet Holland and Mirella Zuccarelli

COMPASSIONATE Friends, who support families that have suffered the death of a child, received £148 in donations on Sunday which will be used to set up a new group for siblings to discuss the issues they are encountering.

Members from the group, which supports 14 families, met at Lydiard Park to inform the public of what Compassionate Friends do and also sell raffle tickets.

Compassionate Friends holds meetings at founder Margaret Bradbury’s home in Groundwell and at St John’s Church, in Haydon Wick, each month. Grieving relatives are welcome to attend but the group wants to launch a meeting just for sibilings of deceased children.

“We are available to help everybody as we understand that grief is overwhelming for the newly bereaved families, not just parents,” said Margaret, whose 17-year-old daughter Beth died in a traffic accident 23-years-ago.

“We think it is important to introduce the group for sibilings as they might not feel they are able to express their grief when their parents are so upset.”

The raffle tickets will be on sale until Compassionate Friends’ next meeting at St John’s on June 11. Prizes include a chance to have use of a Mercedes car for a weekend.

To find out more about Compassionate Friends call Margaret on 01793 703744.